A fresh start for stuff you don’t need
A new year is a good time to clear out clutter and make room for what you actually use. For Carlsbad residents, that doesn’t mean sending everything to the landfill. The Palomar Transfer Station and Recycling Buyback Center offer a one-stop shop with free services that make it easy to recycle, reuse and safely dispose of many common household items.
Whether you’re cleaning out a garage, upgrading electronics or tackling leftover materials from a home project, many items can be handled responsibly at one convenient location.
Free recycling and disposal options include:
- Batteries and light bulbs: Household batteries, lithium-ion batteries and LED light bulbs
- Most bottles and cans: Bottles and cans eligible for CRV (look for the "CA CRV" or other label)
- Cardboard: Large volumes of flattened cardboard
- Carpet: Clean, dry carpet for recycling
- Cooking and motor oil: Free used oil recovery kits are available; containers must be returned
- Electronic waste: Anything with a plug, including computers, printers, TVs and small appliances
- Mattresses and box springs: Accepted for recycling
- Medical sharps: Must be placed in a rigid, sealed container such as a plastic jug
- Paint: Interior and exterior architectural paints, primers, stains and sealers accepted through the PaintCare program (five-gallon maximum per drop-off)
Please note: Household hazardous waste is not accepted at the Palomar Transfer Station or Recycling Buyback Center. This includes items such as paint thinners and solvents, aerosol products, pesticides, pool chemicals and automotive fluids other than used motor oil. These items should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, 1145 East Taylor Street in Vista or scheduled for a pickup service (free for residents over age 65).
Proof of residency is required for all programs. Accepted documents include a utility bill, waste services bill or driver’s license.
Palomar Transfer Station
5960 El Camino Real
Monday through Sunday
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Recycling Buyback Center (same location)
Monday through Saturday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Starting the year with less clutter can also mean fewer items in the trash and more materials put to better use, while helping protect the environment. Look for more decluttering tips over the next month, including bulky item pickup and electronic waste collection services.
More information
Republic Services Carlsbad website
Household Hazardous Waste webpage
Electronic waste webpage
Paint recycling webpage
